California firm reports possible contamination

California-based First Class Foods, Inc., is recalling
approximately 34,373 pounds of organic ground beef products that
may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced
today.

The following products are subject to recall:

16-oz. packages of "NATURE'S HARVEST ORGANIC GROUND BEEF BRICK"
sold singly with one of the following "USE or FREEZE by" dates:
"12/30/10" or "01/08/11."

16-oz. packages of "ORGANIC HARVEST ORGANIC GROUND BEEF BRICK"
sold singly and in three-packs with one of the following "USE or
FREEZE by" dates: "12/28/10" or "01/06/11."

16-oz. packages of NATURE'S HARVEST GROUND PATTY" containing
four (4) 4-oz. patties with the following "USE or FREEZE by" date:
"12/30/10" or "01/08/11"

According to the manufacturers, each package label bears the
establishment number "EST. 18895" as well as the identifying Pack
Date of "10341 and 10350 Julian date.

The ground beef products in question were produced on Dec. 7,
2010, and Dec. 16, 2010, and were shipped to retail establishments
in Calif., N.J., N.Y., N.C., Wis., and Wash. State. When available,
the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on FSIS' website.

According to FSIS, the problem was discovered through company
microbiological sampling which confirmed a positive result for E.
coli O157:H7. FSIS and the company have received no reports of
illnesses associated with consumption of these products. However,
individuals concerned about an illness should contact a
physician.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify
recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps
are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available
to consumers.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause
bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney
failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune
systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

California-based First Class Foods, Inc., is recalling
approximately 34,373 pounds of organic ground beef products that
may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced
today.

The following products are subject to recall:

According to the manufacturers, each package label bears the
establishment number "EST. 18895" as well as the identifying Pack
Date of "10341 and 10350 Julian date.

Whole Foods Recalls Fresh Ground Beef

Meat came from troubled Nebraska Beef plant

Upscale grocery Whole Foods has recalled fresh ground beef from all its stores after learning the meat could be tainted by E. coli.

The meat was purchased from Coleman Natural Foods, but was processed at Nebraska Beef, which recalled more than five million pounds of ground beef in May and June.

Nebraska beef recalled an additional 1.2 million pounds of beef produced in June and July, and that beef is included in the meat that found its way to Whole Foods.

Last week Massachusetts health officials reported six people had gotten sick with the particularly virulent E. coli O157:H7strain. By the end of last week, that outbreak had been traced to meat purchased from Whole Foods stores.

Whole foods began an investigation and contacted its meat supplier, Coleman Natural Foods. It was only then, the company says, that it learned the meat had originated at Nebraska Beef. The plant was already under close scrutiny by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

"We will continue to investigate to see what is happening at the plant to see what they have to do to get a handle on their food-safety issues," said USDA spokeswoman Laura Reiser.

In early July USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service took the unusual step of publicly criticizing Nebraska Beef's operation. The agency said the company uses production practices that "are insufficient to effectively control E. coli O157:H7 in their beef products that are intended for grinding. The beef that was ultimately recalled may have been produced under unsanitary conditions, the agency said.

In a statement, Whole Foods said no beef secured from Coleman Natural Foods and sold between June 2 and August 6 is currently in any of its stores. It said its supplier had previously assured it than none of the recalled Nebraska Beef products were among the products it supplied to Whole Foods.

"While Coleman Natural Beef is a relatively small supplier for Whole Foods Market, we are extremely disappointed that we must now question Coleman's assurances," said Edmund Lamacchia, global vice president of procurement.

Whole Foods Market says customers who may have ground beef purchased beef from June 2 to August 6 to dispose of the product and return to the store with the packaging or receipt for a full refund.

"At Whole Foods Market, one of our top priorities is consumer safety, and we go to great lengths to ensure the safety and quality of our meats," said Lamacchia. "We are currently cooperating with the USDA, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Montgomery County Health Department in Pennsylvania as part of a routine multi-state investigation into these confirmed cases of E. coli 0157:H7 infection."

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health issued warnings about the targeted beef. Whole Foods Market said it will continue to work with state and federal authorities as this investigation progresses.

The meat was purchased from Coleman Natural Foods, but was processed at Nebraska Beef, which recalled more than five million pounds of ground beef in May and June.

Nebraska beef recalled an additional 1.2 million pounds of beef produced in June and July, and that beef is included in the meat that found its way to Whole Foods.

Last week Massachusetts health officials reported six people had gotten sick with the particularly virulent E. coli O157:H7strain. By the end of last...

The products have a “USE BY/SELL BY DATE” of June 14, 2013. They were produced on May 25, 2013, and shipped to various institutions and retail establishments. The is concern that some products may be frozen and in shoppers’ freezers.

Consumers with questions should contact the company at (877) 857-4143 for details about the recall and their return and reimbursement policy.

National Beef Packing of Liberal, Kan., is recalling approximately 22,737 pounds of raw ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

There are no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products.

The following products are subject to recall:

The products have a “USE BY/SELL BY DATE” of June 14, 2013. They were produced on May 25, 2013, and shipped to various institutions and retail establishments. The is concern that som...

All these products bear the establishment number “EST. 208A” inside the USDA mark of inspection. They were produced on July 18, 2013 and shipped in 40 to 60 pound cases to retailers, wholesalers, and food service distributors nationwide.

FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160° F. The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature.

Consumers can call 1-866-761-9472 for details about the recall and the company’s return and reimbursement policy.

National Beef Packing Company of Liberal, Kan., is recalling approximately 50,100 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

The following products are subject to recall:

All these products bear the establishment number “EST. 208A” inside the USDA mark of inspection. They were produced on July 18, 2013 and shipped in 40 to 60 pound cases to retailers, wholesalers, and food service distributors nationwide.

The product bears the establishment number “EST. 6071” inside the USDA mark of inspection and has “Use or Freeze by: 4/22/2015” printed on the product label. It was shipped to businesses in Arizona and California.

Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Stacy Roth at (847) 232-5898.

The the recalled products bear establishment number “EST. 2591” inside the USDA mark of inspection and the Universal Product Code (UPC) Item #79821-00043. They were shipped to retailers and distributors nationwide and the Bahamas.

Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Mike Riley at (618) 857-4062.

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